'52 Hudson Hornet

[Slotto]

I attended the June IPMS meeting in Bel Air, MD where I came to find out one of the members had passed. His wife donated everything he was working on to the club. Let me start by saying this club is primarily and I do mean primarily boats, planes and tanks. I am the only member who strictly builds cars and trucks. I have no interest in militarily pieces. But I do respect and admire the attention to detail these guys pour into their builds. That being said, in this guys collection was this Moebius Hudson Hornet. The club president went thru the box and handed it to me without a blink. I said thanks and asked if i could donate to his family and he said she didnt want anything for it.

This is something i wouldn't normally build. I always thought the wheelbase looked a little strange with the rear wheels so far back. Curious, I cracked the box open and everything was dusted flat black. Ugh. I stripped the body and interior as best as I could then sprayed the interior red and flocked the carpet. I worked on the chassis next. This is a really nice kit. Everything fits together exceptionally. After that, I put everything away and went onto something else. My heart wasn't in it.

I did a little research and found out Chrysler took Hudson over. This sounds interesting. I went to the AutoZone and picked up a can of Duplicolor Charcoal Grey Metallic - turns out it's a Chrysler color. Today I gave the body the once over with 600 grit then a good cleaning. Then gave the body 2 coats of paint. The plan is to paint the lower half red to match the interior, foil the trim and clear coat. So far I dont hate it.

[redscampi]

Love it!  Hudsons are a bit of an acquired taste for sure, but these are really nice kits of an  under-represented topic when it comes to model cars. I wish there were more oddballs like LaSalle, Nash, etc also in plastic. I like where you're going with this. 

[beeRS]

Sorry to hear about your club member.
I like the Chrysler metallic grey. 
I never noticed a problem with the wheelbase on these - I thought they were supposed to be like this. 

[Mittagskind]

A nice story and an interesting project. I'm looking forward to the result. In my eyes gray and red are always a good combination.

[Anglia105E]

You are doing a great job with this '52 Hudson Hornet convertible Steve, and I am currently building my second '53 Hudson Hornet, also by Moebius.

The quality and fit of these 1:25 scale Moebius kits is excellent, and they have managed to go one better than the other big kit manufacturers.

Just the instruction sheet alone is a lesson to show how model car kit instructions should be done. Glossy photos, clear step by step text and accurate assembly diagrams. I am finding the instruction sheet a joy to follow.

Your plan to have the lower half of the car matching the red interior should be highly effective Steve . . . You were lucky to pick up this kit, albeit under sad circumstances.

Although the '53 Hudson is my favourite for some reason, I would like to build a '52 and also a '54 later.

David

[espo]

The Mobius kits and the Hudson you're building are great kits and I think well worth a small premium based on the fit and finish they offer. I built the hardtop twin to this kit and was impressed with the fine details on the small engine and chassis parts in the kit. 

[customline]

I've been wanting one of the Hudson kits. Their Chrysler kits are darn good too. I don't think I would two-tone it though, but that's because I hate doing it. It looks great the way it is right now, Steve.  Dave is right about the value, too.  

You see these Hudsons very rarely as customs but I don't think I could stop myself from wondering.....?

Edited August 12, 2023 by customline

[Slotto]

This is my 1st 2-tone paint job with the airbrush. Lighting at my workstation is sketchy. Looks like I may need another coat. I sanded the area with 400 prior to the red coat. Yep, I used Apple Barrel mixed at 5:1 shot at 20psi. I was used to a 2:1 mix before my kids got me a vortex mixer for Fathers Day. With a 2:1 mixed with the vortex mixer the specimen seemed too thick and caused the airbrush to spit, then clog. 2:1 hand shaken worked out really well before. Everything seems to be trial and error but I'll settle in eventually. 

 

[Slotto]

 

[redscampi]

Now we're talking! Love the added contrast.

[Slotto]

While thumbing thru the box I happened to notice there was no engine block. No worries. I found something in the bone yard that is appropriate 

[TarheelRick]

Really nice looking Hornet, those colors go together quite well. I do not envy you the chrome on this beast. What is your choice of punishment - BMF, Molotow, or paint.

[Slotto]

13 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

What is your choice of punishment - BMF, Molotow, or paint.

BMF and Molotow pen

[Chuckyg1]

Wow..... that came out nice. Those colors play nice together.

[Jonathan]

With the two colors you have on this, once it's trimmed out with chrome, it'll be an eye-catcher for sure!

[Zippi]

Like Jonathan said, once you trim this baby out it should start looking killer and make the colors pop.

[Slotto]

I found an intake and added plug wires, a distributor and a fuel line. Exhaust will be tricky.

[slusher]

outstanding work so far!

[espo]

Soft easily bendable solder might work for the headers as well as the exhaust. 

[Slotto]

17 minutes ago, espo said:

Soft easily bendable solder might work for the headers as well as the exhaust. 

You read my mind David

[Slotto]

headers are done. Next up exhaust pipes, mufflers and tail pipes.

[crazyjim]

Looking good.

[Slotto]

Most of the bright work is done

[customline]

Wow, Steve, that looks fantastic!  ? 

[redscampi]

What a neat car this would be in real life. I love it!